Emerging horizon for bat borne viral zoonoses

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Mammalogy

Background:

• Bats are the only flying placental mammals, found globally except in polar regions and some islands.
• A significant portion of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, with a majority originating from wildlife.
• Bats possess unique traits making them ideal reservoirs for various zoonotic pathogens without exhibiting disease signs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of bats as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens.
• To understand the factors contributing to the emergence of bat-borne zoonoses.
• To highlight the importance of rapid detection methods for preventing disease outbreaks.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on bat-borne zoonoses.
• Analysis of bat physiology and behavior in relation to pathogen harboring.
• Examination of factors driving the emergence of zoonotic diseases, particularly human-wildlife interactions.

Main Results:

• Bats are highly effective reservoirs for numerous viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
• Human encroachment into natural habitats, driven by deforestation, is a primary factor in bat-borne zoonoses emergence.
• Stressed bats displaced from their natural niches are more likely to come into contact with human populations.

Conclusions:

• Bats' unique biological characteristics facilitate pathogen carriage without disease manifestation.
• Human activities, especially habitat destruction, significantly increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission from bats.
• Advanced diagnostic techniques and lessons from past outbreaks are crucial for mitigating future bat-borne disease threats.